Hello there! My name is Joanna Jou, a '26 from El Paso, TX. I love Hanover sunsets, relaxing out on The Green, and Still North Matcha w/ honey + almond milk. I'm beyond stoked to have y'all follow along as I create my own version of Dartmouth!
A discussion-based class co-taught by two notable professors in the Russian and German translation/scholar community. We read a series of poems and short stories written by poets who lived under totalitarian regimes (specifically in Germany and the Soviet Union) while examining the role poetry played in communicating trauma and the living of life.
Coming in with no economics background, ECON 1 is an introductory class that explores how individuals and firms make independent choices, how it is reflected in the market place while analyzing it through consumer and producer perspectives, and exploring the theories involved in resource allocation and output determination. Taught by the amazing Dr. Ha Yan Lee, her dedication to the class and her students made me excited to come to her lectures, office hours, and to continue taking classes in the economics department.
As a freshman, we are required to complete a seminar course as part of our first-year writing sequence. With a variety of departments to choose from, I elected a course on the Green New Deal with the history department since I wanted to explore the department a little more. As a discussion-based class, the way Professor Link structured his course and how he led discussions undoubtedly became the highlight of my spring term; not only did I learn some history and improved my writing along the way, but it also encouraged me to pursue the history major (and more classes with him).
SummerEl Paso, TX
Back home for the summer in Texas as I spend time with my family, focus on my mental and physical well-being, and start a new role with the Admissions Office as an Admissions Communications Intern!
Initially taking this course to fulfill my distributive requirement, I ended up really enjoying ANTH 50.49. Although I am a self-proclaimed museum enthusiast, I didn't think to inquire about the development or evolution of museums, which is why I thought this course would also be interesting to take. Nevertheless, Professor Meredith Ferguson '08 did a lovely job in shedding light on various angles in the museum world such as its natural history, curating/conserving, "heritage", repatriation and restitution, and public trust. In addition, we wrapped up the course by finally thinking about the future of museums, and their representation in society today.
I initially took this course purely out of interest as I didn't have any prior experience with the government department. Nevertheless, Politics of the World is the reason why I've decided to pursue a government minor. Taught through a comparative lens, I quickly realized that much of my academics interests lie at the intersection between comparative politics and international relations; thus, this course served as an intellectually stimulating and enriching experience, which made it a highlight of my winter term.
I was immediately drawn to this course just by the title. To put it simply—wow, just wow. Through studying two centuries of wars, reforms, and revolutions, I've gained a deep understanding of Chinese nationalism, not just as part of national history, but also how it was carried overseas by an array of influential characters. Professor Yi Lu is one of the kindest, most genuine, accommodating, and thought-provoking professors I've had a pleasure to know and learn from at Dartmouth!
SummerThe Baltic countries: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Studied abroad in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with the government department! As post-Soviet countries, the Baltic states have become democratic success stories after major political and social transformations. This government seminar—taught by the program director—featured a variety of guest lecturers and excursions exploring the concept of democracy, its pathway and development in the Baltics, and the region's future given its geopolitical significance at the forefront of potential global conflict.
At Dartmouth, students are admitted into the college without an official major, also known as undeclared; thus, this means that we can take classes in any department after any prerequisites are met! It's very encouraged that first year students spend their three terms taking classes across a variety of disciplines as part of embracing the liberal arts curriculum.
Starting from our fifth term, which is sophomore winter, students can declare a major. Nonetheless, it doesn't mean you have to stick with it; some students will drop their major, modify, or make it a minor instead depending on personal preference in each student's academic journey. This past winter, I met with my faculty advisor in the history department to talk about planning a history major, and an overview of the history major such as its senior seminars, the geographical distributions, and the chronological pre-modern and modern courses in order to complete the major. The history department has a major, modified major, and minor planning worksheets, which are very helpful for organizing and planning anticipated courses over the next few terms. Additionally, the department also plans their course offerings two years in advance, so I was able to look over the course schedule for classes I plan to take from now all the way to when I graduate in spring 2026.
After I filled out the major worksheet, I logged into my DartWorks (academic portal) to create a major academic plan, where I input all the classes I've taken applicable to my major, and anticipated classes for my major requirements. Using the major plan, we submit this into the DartWorks Dashboard, which is where we formally submit the major plan for approval.
Shortly after submitting, I received an email from the department administrator letting me know it has been approved! I was also notified to start emailing the professors I intended on taking my senior seminars with as enrollments are capped at 12 students; senior seminars serve as culminating experiences with intense reading, research, and writing on the seminar topic, so some seminars are in higher demands than others, which is why we are encouraged to start contacting professors earlier to be placed on their enrollment list.
And with that, I am officially a history major! Stay tuned for a future blog on my government minor, and how my Foreign Study Program in the Baltic countries contribute to my minor.
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
Unlike some other universities, many of the STEM lecture classes at Dartmouth require concurrent enrollment in a laboratory section. What is it like navigating that time as a student?
As a senior, one of the most exciting things for me is my thesis project. In this blog, I describe how to approach making a senior honors thesis. As Dartmouth focuses on their undergraduate research, many students complete a thesis, so let's dive in!
